Acts 2:42-47
A
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The title of our lesson in our quarterly, Growing
Together in Christ, is ‘Share Genuine Fellowship’. I have re-titled
it, ‘A Recipe for “Church”’. I believe the passage we will share
today help us see what “church”—this activity we engage in with these
people in this place and others—help us envision what this thing should
really look like.
I have excepted the 1 Corinthians and Philippians
passages for two reasons. The main reason is because we are
going to spend some in-depth time on the 1 Corinthians passage next
week during Discovering My Ministry. The other reason is because
I have only known since Friday noon that I was to teach this lesson
today and leaving out part of it made it easier to prepare! So, here we go.
Are people lonely these days? Sure. Sometimes
its their circumstances—health issues, disability, old age; immigrants
or displaced people (Katrina victims); widows or widowers (many in
our church recently). Are there people in our congregation who
are lonely?
Have you heard of Second Life? This is an internet-based video game that creates its own
virtual world. You download a program called the Second Life Viewer to become a
Resident. You create an online identity called an avatar, through whom you can do
everything in this virtual world you can do in the real world. You can buy and trade land
and other property, start businesses, develop relationships, and so on.
You might think such a game would be of little interest, but when the operators of the
game did a survey in January of this year, they discovered an average of 38,000 people
were logged at any one time and that 13 million people were registered. Games are
available in English, German, Japanese, and Korean.
Why is Second Life so popular? Because it creates community. Sociologists say our
culture is cocooned—we
are afraid of our neighbors, and so we live in a more isolated way
than ever before. Front porches are gone, replaced by gated communities.
How many remember ball games in the front yard or street; riding your
bike all over town; etc.? (Tell mom story re: spanking and dad
re: whistling) Bowling leagues are down 50% since 1985.1 Mother
Teresa said that loneliness is the epidemic of our day. In a culture
filled with such isolation, the
We have been studying essential commitments and characteristics for growing spiritually,
focusing most recently on traits essential to healthy churches and Bible study
communities. This week we will think together about living together, exploring the
koinonia or fellowship of early Christianity and its significance for our lives and churches.
The
upshot of our study is simple: When we love each other as the first
Christians loved
each other, we will reach our world as effectively as they did. Let’s learn how and why
that claim is true, and decide how to make it so with our faith family this week. This is a great cure for loneliness.
We are looking at Acts 2:42-47. This
is one of the earliest accountings of the New Testament body of believers. This was right after Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost and the
church had just grown form 120 to 3,120 members. So here is
what they did and what happened because of it.
1. Start with
Devotion – Acts 2:42-43
42They devoted themselves to the apostles’
teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs
were done by the apostles.
Let’s start with devotion. What are
the 4 elements mentioned here that involved and encouraged interpersonal
interactions: faithful attendance to the apostles’ teaching sessions
(Sunday school – studied the Word), fellowship (our study this week),
breaking of bread (corporate worship) and prayer (personal communion
with God). Everyone participated in these activities.
And they
were devoted to them. That means they were committed completely
and passionately to them. You know the difference between participation
and commitment, don’t you? It’s like the difference between
the chicken and the pig. The chicken participates in your breakfast. The pig is committed to it. Devotion meant commitment.
This brought
cohesion to the group. Fellowship. The Greek word is ???
– koinonia. The word means common union. Community. A community shares some value in common. It may be common space
like a neighborhood or village that is cherished. It may be
common government or goals. But a community that functions well
is made up of members that think and act for the benefit of the group.
In
this new church in Acts, of course, the values were much higher. They had in common the same Spirit, the same Lord, the same God that
Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6. the idea of koinonia
is traceable to God Himself. He is three in one—a community. And we were, in fact, created for koinonia with God.
Well, what was
the result of this devotion? 43Everyone was filled with awe,
and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
What
is awe? It can describe reverence, fear, or terror in the presence
of God. In this case it emphasizes reverence and respect that
is humbling to the point of fear.
Albert Einstein said thatanyone who is not lost on the rapturous awe at the power and glory
of the mind behind the universe "is as good as a burnt out candle."
These
folks were really in the right place in reference to their position
with God. And it was empowering for fellowship. The closer
we draw to God, the closer we draw to one another. Sharing a
mutual passion for Jesus leads to share His passion with each other.
And
the devotion to this Lord also empowered the apostles to do miraculous
signs and wonders. This is a deep topic that we can’t resolve
today but it is possible that one reason we this seems to be less
commonly seen in our culture and time is because we have lost our
awe and devotion.
When were you last awed by God? When
last was our church family? Can you remember the sense of unity
at a time when you felt the presence of Almighty God?
Next ingredient--
2. Add Communion – vv. 44-45
44All the believers were together and
had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they
gave to anyone as he had need.
Now we come to Luke’s summary description
of the church’s “fellowship”: “All the
believers were together and
had everything in common”, including, of course, their faith. “Together”
(Greek, epi to auto) is used to describe the apostolic Christians
in the Upper Room (1:15), at Pentecost (2:1), and here as well. The
phrase indicates physical proximity but also pictures their relational
unity, as they “had everything in common.” Some have taken this to
mean that the apostolic Christians lived a kind of communistic or
communal existence, but such is not
the case.
The next phrase amplifies
the last: “Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone
as he had need” (2:45). Some philosophical and ascetic sects elevated
such communal living as the ideal or deemed material possessions unspiritual
and unimportant.
The situation of the first Christians was very different.
According to Dr. Jim Denison’s commentary, the Greek syntax indicates
that they did not sell their “possessions and goods” at a single time
or on entry into the Christian community, as did other religious sects.
Rather, they sold from time to time, periodically, and “gave to anyone
as he had need.” “Possessions and goods” did not include their homes,
as they continued to meet in them (2:46). Rather, they sold what possessions
they could when others needed them, and for that purpose. They recognized
that all they had came from the Lord, and they wanted to give back
what was the Lord’s for the Lord’s glory and the Lord’s people’s good. This demonstrated a spirit of love and generosity – something all
genuine fellowship needs.
The Jerusalem Christians faced circumstances
unique in this early era of the faith; all came from Jewish families
and were likely ostracized for their faith. It is possible if not
likely that many lost their homes and jobs when they joined the growing
Christian movement. Many had come to
Such giving was an ongoing expression of practical fellowship,
and expressed the biblical expectation for all of God’s people: “At
the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in
turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality,
as it is written: ‘He who gathered much did not have too much, and
he who gathered little did not have too little’” (2 Corinthians 8:14-15).
John expressed the same priority: “If anyone has material possessions
and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love
of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue
but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:17-18). Their activities
disclosed and indispensable principle of caring for others.
Why do
the we give financially to God through the church? Are we paying dues
for services received? seeking recognition for their sacrifice? giving
out of legalistic obligation? Or giving in gratitude for the privilege
of contributing to the work of God’s kingdom, meeting the needs of
others with the blessings of God?
Next, we heat it up with unification:
3. Heat with Unification – vv. 46-47a
46Every day they continued to meet
together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and
ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying
the favor of all the people.
Every day – unity! Unity that is
valuable because it is found in Jesus. They were of one mind. They met in the temple courts because there were no such things as
“church buildings”. Well, do we want to go there? It may
be that these days we are so concerned about our property, personnel
and programs that we have lost sight of our real function as a church
body. If so, what should be the focus of our “participation?”
These
believers not only mutually participated in activities, but they were
of one mind as they did so. What was their attitude?—they were
of glad and sincere hearts which pointed to the genuineness of their
faith. They needed and wanted this daily connection with God
and with His people.
You know, a person may participate in a church’s
congregational life only out of a sense of duty as a Christian, but
does that lend itself to a group’s sense of fellowship?—certainly
not! Church unity should not just be lack of divisions. There is no room for apathy and indifference. Again, to use
Paul’s phrase from 1 Cor 12, “one mind” means that everyone is engaged,
not disengaged, from congregational life.
This church was warm
and friendly, not cold and self-serving. Because of this true
fellowship in unity, these folks praised God and influenced others. This was an attractive place. People wanted to know what was
going on.
The huge redwood trees in
With an interlocking root system they support and sustain
each other. They need one another to survive. So do we!
Well, what
about our church? Where do we measure on the thermometer? If it is in the right place then we will see what this church saw—
Salvation!!
4. Experience Salvation – v. 47b
And the Lord added to their number daily
those who were being saved.
Look at the second part of verse 47. What was happening in this church? Did they have evangelisitic
effectiveness? When we focus on praising God we reduce the tension
in the church. With God at the center of the congregation’s
life, everything else falls into its proper place. Again, this
is a place that people want to come and see. Good stuff happens
here!
Folks this salvation stuff was a continual, repetitive experience
for these early Christians. God must “add” people who are being
saved, for you and I cannot convict a single person of a single sin
or convert a single soul. Spiritual transformation is the work of
the Spirit. But when we are in right fellowship with God and with
one another, we position ourselves to be used most fully by God. We
thus have the power of the Spirit to share the gospel, having earned
the right to be heard by those we seek to win.
When we find our unity
in Christ and share that unity in practical service every day, our
fellowship becomes our most powerful witness. This was the promise
and exhortation of our Lord: “A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men
will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John
13:34-35). Would your community say that your class and congregation
display this mark of discipleship? If not, what about your fellowship
will you change this week?
In the fall of the year, Linda, a young
woman, was traveling alone up the rutted and rugged highway from
“In that little Civic? No way! This pass is dangerous in weather like this." "Well, I'm determined to try," was Linda's gutsy, if not very informed, response. "Then I guess we're just going to have to hug you," the trucker suggested. Linda drew back. "There's no way I'm going to let you touch me!"
"Not like THAT!" the truckers chuckled. "We'll put one truck in front of you and one in the rear. In that way, we'll get you through the mountains." All that foggy morning Linda followed the two red dots in front of her and had the reassurance of a big escort behind as they made their way safely through the mountains. Caught in the fog in our dangerous passage through life, we need to be "hugged." With fellow Christians who know the way and can lead safely ahead of us, and with others behind, gently encouraging us along, we, too, can pass safely.
Don Graham. - Evangelist
Acts 2:42-47
A
1. Start
with Devotion – Acts 2:42-43
2. Add Communion
– vv. 44-45
3. Heat with Unification – vv.
46-47a
4. Experience Salvation – v. 47b
Homework:What about your fellowship will you change this week?